District News Page, South Berkshire Scouts

News 2008 / News 2006 / News 2005

31/12/07, message from our District Chairperson Richard Price

Firstly let me wish each of you a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR and hope that you will all join me in making 2008 another GREAT YEAR IN SCOUTING.

As you are all aware Conan is leaving us today as our DC, over the last year Conan has played a great part in all the activities of our District, and Groups and has also as those of you who managed to visit the Jamboree played a major part in the organization of the Transport to and from the site. I am please to see that Scouting is not losing Conan with his move to South Wales and I understand that he will be living in a Scout Accommodation Unit in Wales until he gets himself sorted down there. I am sure that you will join me in wishing Conan well in his new environment.

I am pleased to announce that rather than leaving our District without a DC Hamish Stout our County Commissioner has agreed to appoint Howard deSilva as our Acting District Commissioner during the time we are starting our search for Conan's replacement. I hope that all of you will join together with me in giving Howard our help and assistance in carrying out this additional role.

Message from Conan

I would first like to wish you all a happy New Year.

Until I get my house sold and when I am not in Berkshire, I will be staying in the staff accommodation at ‘Parc Islwyn’, a very good scout activity centre near Blackwood in South Wales.

The web site for the activity centre is http://www.islwynscoutparc.org.uk/

I have had a good look around the site already, and I can recommend this centre as a great venue to stay for both camping and pack holiday with loads of good activities at the site and locally.

I would be happy to help any district group coordinate the local plans for a stay if they are interested in a visit to the area in 2008. If I am free I may also help with the camp when they arrive.

My Very Best Wishes

Conan

1st Easthampstead Scout Groups Sunrise Event / Camp / Fund Raiser

From Friday 27th July to Sunday 5th August 1st Easthampstead Scout Group held a camp at the Berkshire College of Agriculture, Burchetts Green which included (for the first time in its history) all of its members. The camp was named BIGcamp

During the camp the Cubs and Scouts spent a day at Dinton Pastures kayaking, katacanoeing and raft building and had another day of Scouting skills ranging from pioneering, caving and sweet making!

At 8am all of our members renewed their Scout promise in a service led by Rev. Guy Cole from St. Michael’s Church, Easthampstead. The service also included some hymns and prayers.

In the afternoon the Mayor of Bracknell Forest Borough Council, Cllr. Gillian Birch opened our fun day (photo) where friends and families joined the campers for a fete style afternoon with stalls like a tombola, hook-a-duck, football shootout and sponge the leader – they were all very popular. The attendees dined very well with a spit roast pig and then enjoyed a mini gang show performed by the Scouts. The afternoon ended with a traditional camp fire style singsong. Over £900 was raised

The camp continued after the fun day and the Scouts enjoyed hiking, cooking on open fires and a trip to London where they visited famous landmarks and bumped into many groups of foreign Scouts.

Sunrise Event, 7.50am on 1st August

A Sunrise Ceremony was held by 300 young people and adults on the Recreation Ground in Sandhurst to celebrate the 100 years of Scouting. On 1st August 1907 Lord Robert Baden-Powell opened the first ever Scout camp on Brownsea Island in Dorset. This started the Worldwide movement of Scouts which now numbers 28 million, and growing, in over 250 countries.

The Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorer Scouts, Leaders and Parents who gathered in Sandhurst were part of a series of similar celebrations that took place on the same day all over the UK and the World, including 40,000 Scouts at the Worldwide Jamboree in Chelmsford.

The local Sunrise Ceremony consisted of members of Scouting from Sandhurst, Crowthorne and Bracknell reflecting on the past 100 years, renewing their promises and responding ready for the future. This was then marked by a "100 second Yell" and the release of 100 balloons. The Ceremony was witnessed by the Mayors of Sandhurst, Bracknell Forest Borough Council and Bracknell Town Council as well as a number of local Councillors.

Graeme Thompson

Photo's by Richard Price and Sandra Sidey

A message from Conan

Dear Leaders,

Thank you for a very busy and action packed first six months of 2007, I believe you have planted some very special memories in the minds of all our members.

It has been a full sprint for us all I believe, but I think very worthwhile.

There are many activities set to take place over the summer, plenty of really good (and some very big) summer camps planned, the successful continuation of the Bracknell Experience, a jamboree in Essex and of course the Sunrise Ceremony in Sandhurst (or wherever you can attend, as I believe we have members attending ceremonies in at least 4 locations). It will be great to see your Sunrise pics on the district website in September.

I wish you all the very best with these and hope the sun shines on you all warmly for as long as possible.

I hope that you will get a chance to take some rest also during the summer,

I would recommend that if you are able to, that you put your Scouting communication lines on ‘emergency calls only’ for as long as you are able.

I will be at the Jamboree from the 20th July, and back on Aug 13th, the final charge after 4 long years of planning, and I hope it will go to plan as far as possible!

I am sure we all wish the best to our district participants (who have completely fund raised all their fees), our service team member, and organising staff at the jamboree.

I will have my mobile phone with me in case there are any ‘district emergencies’, and this will remain so until the new term in September.

So it just remains for me to wish you all a happy new Century and I will see you all in the new one, ready for the next action packed, and I hope, fun packed term!

Very Best Wishes

Conan ( District Commissioner )

South Berks Beaver and Cub football results can be found on the Beaver News or Cub News pages.

Scout Shop ( Coopers Hill )

It is now possible to fill in an online order request for anything you need from the Coopers Hill Scout shop, anything from badges to general Scouting things can be preordered by filling in the form on the New South East Berkshire Scouts website

South East Berks Scouts Football

Cub Packs from the South Berkshire District are always invited to join in with the South East Berks football competition, I am reliably informed ( I am sure that you will correct me if I'm wrong here ) that the photo below is of 2nd Crowthorne and 1st Sunningdale in action.

South East Berkshire Scouts District football

Can you help, Home Hospitality urgently needed for 25 - 26 July

Home Hospitality ( Ho Ho ) is needed for either two Scouts or one leader all from South Korea for the Jamboree. Annick Tremblay the Berkshire coordinator urgently needs your help.

If you can help please fill in your details on our Contact form with South Korea Ho Ho help in the anything to add field at the bottom of the form and we will pass this onto Annick.

Sunrise Ceremony will now definitely be at Sandhurst Recreation Ground.

The main part of the event will be at 8am on Aug 1st, when those present will join the rest of the world in seeing in the new centenary. (100 years from the opening of the first ever Scout Camp and ‘organised Scout activity’)

More to follow

Conan D.C

Presentations at 9th Bracknell's AGM

Conan our District Commissioner finally caught up with Lee Lewis at the 9th Bracknell's AGM, Lee an ex Cub Scout Leader ( Merlin's ) of many years has been looking after the 9th Bracknell's accounts for probably about the same amount of years. I would estimate ( someone is bound to correct me here ) that Lee has been active in the Group since the late seventies. Photo below showing Conan presenting Lee with her 25 year certificate, Bar to the Long Service and Medal of Merit. Well done Lee

Mick Wright who has been a Cub dad, Scout dad ( his son is now 30 ), Chairperson, Vice Chair and is now back up Treasurer ( Lee takes alot of holidays ) Exec member and Mr dependable has been part of the Group for many years was presented with his 10 Year Service Certificate.

Lastly, Adrian King was presented with his Warrant by Bob Tunbridge, District Scout Leader.

Centenary camp photo's link

Online Auction

There are lots of nice things available to the highest bidder at the Scouts Golf online auction ( rules apply ), from a Sea Experience, Vouchers for 4 balls at many different clubs, jewelry, Race tickets, Champagne Dinner and much more. For the full list please go to the Scouts Golf Auction.

St George's Day Parade, 22nd April 2007

Around a thousand Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, Explorers, leaders, adult supporters, brothers and sisters, parents and other family members descended on the Royal Military Academy for the Centenary St George's Day Parade.

The service was held in the Royal Memorial Chapel and was followed by a parade on the Parade Ground led by a band.

Here is a selection of photo's from the day.

3/4/07

Scout Factor 2007

South Berkshire District is hosting a special Centenary event to celebrate 100 Years of the Scouting movement. “SCOUT FACTOR 2007” is a talent competition to find the most talented singing Scout/Cub or Guide/Brownie within the Berkshire Scouting Districts, the event starts with the audition day followed by the semi finals and then the Grand Final which will be live at the Madejski Stadium on May 27th 2007. http://www.freewebs.com/scoutfactor/

1st Easthampstead Open a New Scout Troop

Wednesday 28th March saw the 1st Easthampstead Scout Troop, based in Wildridings change their Groups history by investing 11 new members into a newly formed Scout Troop for girls. Their new Troop will run alongside their existing successful ‘boys Troop’ and there will be many opportunities for mixed activities.

Photo courtesy of Garth Fish

- 100 UP THE WALL -

Sunday, 10th June 2007

Open to all in South & South East Berkshire Scout Districts

Your chance to make history. In celebration of 100 years of Scouting and the opening of this fine Climbing Wall the Beaver Scouts, Cub Scouts, Scouts, Explorer Scouts and all adult members are invited to create this amazing record of all climbing the Wall in one day. Light refreshments will be available at small charge otherwise this is an opportunity to taste the thrill of climbing our own Wall - without charge!

If you have not already received the information on this event please contact Trevor on our contacts page and I will forward it onto you. Closing date 4th May

Cub Sixers Camp

New report added to the Cub News page on the Sixers Camp at polyapes.

Alison Walpole

I am very please to announce that we have appointed a new District Explorer Scout Administrator (DESA) to take over from John Walker as he completes his role as DESA.

John has put in a lot of effort over a long period of time (since Paul Walker was knee high!). I thank John for his great service and look forward to welcoming Alison Walpole to the role. Alison has a long connection with the district through the Gang Show Committee in the past and through supporting us in many other ways behind the scenes!

This is a very important role in the further development and provision of Explorer Scouting across the district.

Wayne Partner

I am very pleased to announce also, that we have a further new member of the district team, to specifically look after the maintenance and management of the district pedal cars and associated competitions and use.

This is Wayne Partner, who will also continue as QM at 1st Owlsmoor.

This is an important role within our aim to get back into the activity and adventure!

Thank you Wayne!

For the second year running, the County Cooking Competition was won by a team from South Berkshire district. The overall support for the competition was a little disappointing, with only three districts represented, but the standard of cooking was very high, and in the end, the winning margin was just one point out of a total of 114.

Each team consisted of three cubs of ages eight, nine and ten and each was provided with the same ingredients and a two-ring burner. The cubs could then decide what to cook, in order to provide a two course meal for four.
They then had to prepare the food, cook it and serve it. While they were doing this, they were being judged on cleanliness, organisation, teamwork and safe practices.

A professional chef was on hand to taste the food as it was served in order to judge the taste, presentation and ingenuity. The cubs had also set a table with place settings and a centerpiece such as a vase of flowers, or some candles. They had also created a written menu for the judge.

The menus varied somewhat, but all were based on the same ingredients and were obviously limited by the cooking arrangements. Most opted to start with a chicken stir-fry with vegetables. The desserts were more varied, with one team making apple towers (apples sliced into rings and then re-assembled with custard and raisins in between), while another made an upside-down crumble (like a cross between an apple crumble and a cheesecake). The third team went for a more traditional crumble topped with crushed digestive biscuits and melted butter.

The food all looked mouth-wateringly delicious, and judging by the speed with which the cubs ate it, it probably was. The final task was to wash everything up and tidy it all away for the final judging.

A great day was had by all, and since cooking is such a useful skill for Cubs to learn, maybe more groups will enter next year.

Saturday February 3rd 2007

I am very pleased to announce two new district positions this morning.

Clive Pearce is now ‘South Berkshire ADC Adventure’, a new post which has been created to manage a team of adventurous activity coordinators and their equipment as held by district. This post has been created in line with the new district objectives for 2007/2008. With such a good network of opportunities available locally and away, Clive will hold all key information about what the opportunities are and how to go about how you can get the best experience.

Bob Wilson will be a close associate of this team in his very important ongoing role as District Safety advisor and Nights Away manager.

I am sure you will all join me in wishing Clive well in this exciting new role. Clive will be looking for coordinators for specific activities over the next few months, so please contact myself or Clive if you would like to be a part of this new team.

I am also very pleased to announce that Arthur Allen will be taking on the very important role of District Facilities Manager ‘Camping’. This role will involve getting the district camping equipment up together and keeping a good effective stock of all we need to get outdoors as a district!

As a part of Clive’s new team we will also be appointing a District Facilities Manager ‘Adventurous Equipment’. This will be taken care of by Clive and also me in the short term.

As a consequence, the position of District Quartermaster is no longer in existence. We thank Reg Hook for all his past work towards the district equipment, and hope that Reg will be involved in a new way in the future.

Very Best Wishes

Conan Fryer (DC)

South Berkshire District Explorers welcomed the Montgomeryshire Scouts for a brief overnight stop on their Tour of Britain. The Welsh Scouts, accompanied by the familiar figure of Bob Robinson, were met at Blackwater Station at 11.55pm on Friday 19th January 2007, stayed at 3rd Sandhurst HQ - theoretically for sleep - before being taken back to the station at 5.30am the following morning to continue with the tour! The visit was brief but being Scouts they managed to consume a vast pile of sausages and bacon expertly cooked by John and Robin.
(Photo by Adam Jollans, Head of Communications & Marketing, Scouting 2007)

Brenda Davies
3rd Sandhurst

3rd Sandhurst Scouts and 1st Binfield Air Scouts came together to run a cooking competition using ingredients as diverse as rice krispies, eggs, bacon, chocolate, potatoes and onions, not necessarily in that order!

ASL Fred Jones was presented with his Wood Badge for the Scout section that night and the two troops are to be congratulated for having fun in the true Scouting spirit.

Earleywood Campsite, Sunninghill, Ascot, Berkshire

South and South East Berkshire District Scout Councils are now managing and running Earleywood campsite, we have produced a website especially for the campsite to make it easier for you to find any information that you need. Please Click Here to be directed to it.